The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-06
The Quakel-'s Way.

William Savery, all eminent preach
er among the QuakGrs, was tanner
by trade, and Was known by all as
zone who walked humbly with Cod
One night quantity Of hides were
reason to believe that the thief was &
l shall call John Smith. The next
week, the following advertisement ap-
peared in the country newspaper:
"Whoever stole a quantity of hides
on the fifth of this month is hereby
informed that the owner has sincere
wish to be his friend. If poverty
tempted him to this false step, the
owner will keep the whole transaction
secret, and will gladly put him in the
way of obtaining money by means
more likely to bring him peace of
mind.n
This singular advertisement attract
ed much attention.; but the culprit
alone knew who had made the kind
offer. When he read it, his heart
melted within him, and he was filled
with sorrow for what he had done. A
few nights afterward, as the tanners
family were about retiring to rest,
they heard q timid knock and, when
the door was opened, there stood John
Smith, with load of hides on his
shoulder. Without looking up, he
said, II have brought these back, Mr..
Savery; where shall I put them ?"
"Wait till get lantern, and will
go to the barn with thee" he replied.
"Then perhaps thou wilt come in, and
tell me how this happened. We will
see what can be done for thee"
AS soon as they were gone out, his
wife prepared some hot coffee, and
placed some pies and meat on the ta-
BILE. When they returned from the
barn, she said: "Neighbor Smith, I
thought some hot supper would be
good for thee"
He turned his back toward her, and
did not speak. After leaning against
the Fireplace in silence a few mo-
ments, he said in chicken voice: ut
is the first time I ever stole any thing,
and I have felt very bad about it. I
am sure I didn't once think that I
should ever come to what I am. But
I took to drinking and then to quar-
reling. Since began to 60 down-hill,
everybody gives me kick. You are
the first man that has ever offered me
a helping hand. My wife is sickly,
and my children starving. You have
sent them many meal. God bless
you! Yet T stole the hides. But I
tell you the truth when say it is the
first time I was ever thief"
"Let it be the last time, my friend,"
replied William Savery. 1.-The secret
lies still between us. Thou art still
young, and it is in thy power to make
up for lost time. Promise me that
thou wilt not drink any intoxicating
liquor for q year, and I will employ
thee tomorrow on good wages. the
little boy can pick up stones. But eat
a bit now, and drink some hot coffee !;
perhaps it will keep thee from craving
anything stronger tonight. Doubt
less, thou wilt find it hard to abstain
at first; but keep up a brave heart for
the sake of thy wife and children, and
it will soon become easy. When thou
hast need of coffee, tell Mary, and she
will give it thee"
The poor fellow tried to eat and
drink but the food seemed to choke
him. After vainly trying to compose
his feelings, he bowed his head on the
table and wept like child. After a
while, he ate and drank, and his host
parted with him for the night with
the friendly words, "Try to do we'll,
John, and thou wilt always find a
friend in me-"
John entered into his employ the
next dry, and remained with him
many years-a sober, honest, and
steady man. The secret Of the theft
was kept between them; but after
Johns death William Savery some
times told the story, to prove that evil
might be overcome with good.